How much breast milk does a baby need?
Between 1 and 6 months, exclusively breastfed babies take about 25 oz (750 mL) of milk a day on average, usually between 19 and 30 oz (570–900 mL). Divide that by the number of feedings to estimate one bottle.
How much milk for my baby?
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Breast milk intake by age
These averages are from research on exclusively breastfed babies, as summarized by lactation consultant Kelly Bonyata (KellyMom):
| Age | About how much a day |
|---|---|
| First days | Small amounts; feeds may come every 1 to 3 hours (CDC) |
| Day 5 | About 16 oz (475 mL) |
| 1 month | About 23–24 oz (680–710 mL) |
| 1 to 6 months | About 25 oz (750 mL) on average; typically 19–30 oz (570–900 mL) |
Between 1 and 6 months, the daily amount stays about the same even as your baby grows. Babies differ, so the range is wide.
How much per bottle?
KellyMom’s method: count how many times your baby feeds in 24 hours, then divide the daily amount by that number. At 8 feedings a day, 25 oz works out to about 3 oz (95 mL) per feeding. The calculator above does this for your baby’s age and number of feeds.
How often do babies feed?
According to the CDC, in the first days a baby may want to eat as often as every 1 to 3 hours. In the first weeks and months, most exclusively breastfed babies feed every 2 to 4 hours, about 8 to 12 times in 24 hours. Some babies feed as often as every hour at times, which is called cluster feeding.
After 6 months
As solid foods are added, how much milk a baby takes changes a lot from one baby to another. There is no single number to aim for. Ask your pediatrician what fits your baby.
Formula is different
These figures are for breast milk. Formula amounts follow different guidance, and this page does not cover them. Ask your pediatrician about formula.
When to ask your pediatrician
If you’re unsure whether your baby is getting enough, your pediatrician can check your baby’s weight and growth.
How long will your stash last?
Milkly's Countdown uses typical intake by age, your stash and your daily output to estimate how much longer you need to pump for your stash to carry your baby to a date you choose. It is an estimate, not a plan from a professional.
Countdown is part of Pro, and your first week is on Pro.
More: how long breast milk lasts · how to wean off pumping.
Sources
- KellyMom, How much expressed milk will my baby need?, Kelly Bonyata IBCLC (updated 2026-08-22)
- CDC, How much and how often to breastfeed (updated 2026-04-16)
Last reviewed:
These are averages from research on healthy, exclusively breastfed babies. They are not a target for your baby and not medical advice. Your pediatrician checks your baby's growth and can tell you whether your baby is getting enough.